EuroParlRadio

End cancer survivors’ discrimination, demands Clune

Cancer survivors should be freed from discrimination – that’s the demand from the European Parliament in a report backed by Deirdre Clune. The Fine Gael MEP has been part of a special committee looking at ways of improving cancer treatment across Europe. In its final report, the committee makes a raft of suggestions for future EU law. One of the recommendations is that – ten years after getting the all-clear – cancer survivors should have their medical records wiped clean so that, for example, they no longer face excessive insurance premiums. Fine Gael MEP, Deirdre Clune, says it is a measure that the Irish government and the EU should put into law as soon as possible.

Out words: Be penalised

Dur: 0’22”

MEPs demand Commission “act immediately” on Rule of Law – Cuffe

The European Parliament is calling on the European Commission to impose financial sanctions on countries like Poland and Hungary for flouting EU laws.

Their strong demands follow yesterday’s ruling by Europe’s top court which said the EU is entitled to freeze funding to EU member countries if they breach rule of law and other key principles of EU membership.

Both Poland and Hungary had challenged that right. But the European Court of Justice ruled against them yesterday. Dublin MEP Ciaran Cuffe says the Commission must now act on that ruling.  

Out words: are upheld

Dur: 00:12

Protocol unresolved before Assembly election - MacManus

Ireland’s Sinn Fein MEP does not now expect problems over the Northern Ireland protocol to be resolved before the Assembly elections in May. The UK and EU continue to disagree about key issues such as the level of checks needed on goods coming into Northern Ireland from Britain. Officials have been working to find a middle way before electioneering gets underway. Sinn Fein MEP, Chris MacManus, says he believes the arguments will have to be put on hold until the summer.

Out words: To go ahead

Dur: 0’20”

MEPs regret not engaging in Brexit referendum

MEPs have expressed their regret for the “restraint and limited engagement of the European Parliament” ahead of the Brexit referendum. The UK voted to leave the European Union on 23 June 2016. A new parliamentary report has been looking back on the Article 50 process. It concludes that citizens “were often misled about the implications of the withdrawal, especially as regards Northern Ireland”.  Sinn Fein MEP, Chris MacManus, backs the report's findings. He says voters should have been better informed by the EU.

Out words: Of the European Union

Dur: 0’23”

Implement sanctions if EU countries flout EU laws - Cuffe

The European Commission will be put under increasing pressure to freeze funding to Poland and Hungary following a ruling today by the European Court of Justice.

Europe's highest court said the EU is entitled to stop funding to EU member countries if they breach rule of law and other key principles of EU membership.

Both Poland and Hungary had challenged the EU’s right to stop funds going to member states that flout the EU’s core values.

Dublin MEP Ciaran Cuffe says sanctions should be implemented if member states don’t uphold EU laws.

Out words: member state

Dur: 00:30

Irish pig farming in “crisis” - MacManus

The government should be providing more cash to pig farmers in “dire” need – that’s the view from one of our Sinn Fein MEP. According to the Irish Farmers Association, other European countries have used post-pandemic funding to increase aid to their farmers. The IFA says farmers are facing "spiralling costs" which are outside their control. Sinn Fein MEP, Chris MacManus, claims our agricultural minister is “asleep at the wheel”

Out words: Market supports

Dur: 0’22”

Diplomacy not language of war needed for Ukraine – O’Sullivan

The President of the European Commission says we face the largest build-up of troops on European soil since the darkest days of the Cold War.

Ursula von der Leyen made the comments during a debate in the European Parliament this morning on Russia’s military threat against Ukraine.

The EU boss told MEPs the people of Ukraine are bravely trying to get on with their lives. Many of them keep emergency bags by their front doors she said in case they have to rush away from home. 

But Ireland South MEP Grace O’Sullivan is warning more diplomacy and less talk of war is what’s required to reduce tensions between all sides.

Out words: the situation

Dur: 00:24

Ukraine troops “war-gaming” around radioactive Chernobyl “big concern”– Sullivan

News footage of Ukrainian troops conducting combat training near the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster is causing concern.

Green MEP Grace O’Sullivan says soldiers and members of the national guard are doing military exercises in nuclear active parts of Chernobyl.

The area is where the worst nuclear disaster in history occurred in 1986.  

Out words: the atmosphere

Dur: 00:34

NATO should be abolished for peace in Europe – Wallace MEP

The Independents for Change MEP Mick Wallace says the NATO military alliance exists to protect Western corporate and military industrial interests.  And he says people who want peace in Europe should call for NATO to be abolished.

Mr Wallace made the comments this morning during a debate in the European Parliament on Russia’s military threat against Ukraine.

The Ireland South MEP accused NATO and the US of engaging in “war-mongering” in recent months. 

Out words: be abolished

Dur: 00:40

Interest rises would be ‘unhelpful’ to Ireland - Kelleher

Billy Kelleher has warned against any “knee-jerk” interest rate rises. The European Central Bank is trying to steady the economies of the Eurozone at a tricky time. Economists point up to global supply problems, pent up consumer demand and gas shortages as some of the reasons for rising inflation. The ECB has not ruled out interest rate rises this year. Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, has been following a debate on the issue in the European Parliament. Speaking from Strasbourg this morning, he warned the bank against taking drastic measures.

Out words: Unwinding itself

Dur: 0’21”